A stomach deserves looking after: massage, moisturiser, a gentle scrub now and then. And if you've noticed, cellulite doesn't skip the stomach — far from it. It settles in and holds on, and massage can help to relax the tissues and temporarily improve the look of the skin, without getting rid of cellulite. If you're unsure about your skin, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.

Massaging the stomach with oil, using circular movements
Skin rolling: the skin of the stomach gently rolled between thumb and fingers
Skin rolling, a key movement for relaxing the tissues of the stomach

Using a massage oil, work the stomach firmly — without leaving unsightly red marks behind — and carry on, changing direction, rhythm and movement. It's also worth trying skin rolling, where you lift and roll the skin of the stomach between your thumb and your other fingers. The point of the manoeuvre? To relax the tissues and wake up the circulation, for skin that feels more supple. Repeat daily for around fifteen minutes, ideally after a bath — a practical marker rather than a rule, so adapt it to your own skin. And in practice, a gentle scrub once a week is often recommended, again adapted to your skin. Using a body scrub, apply the product to damp skin and exfoliate gently in circular movements, for skin that feels soft and smooth.

Gentle exfoliation of the stomach, on damp skin
Gentle scrub: scrub grains worked in circles over the damp skin of the stomach
A gentle scrub on damp skin, once a week

What it costs

There's no need to spend a fortune. A massage oil or a plain plant oil is easy to find at a pharmacy, a beauty counter or a supermarket, and you can expect to pay somewhere between £8 and £25 depending on the size and the brand. For a body scrub, budget roughly £5 to £20, whether you shop at a supermarket or a beauty retailer. Prices vary with the retailer, the format and the brand, and online the larger sizes often work out cheaper.